Squirrelfish caught night fishing on shrimp

Common Name:  Squirrelfish

Local Name:  Sigang Batohan, Ganteng (Tagalog); Ganting, Baga, Baga-baga (Cebuano)

Max Size:  27cm

Biodiversity: Marine, Reef Associated, Brackish

Depth: 1 – 40 m

Fishing Season:  All Year Long

Minimum Size Limit:  None

Recommended Bait/Lures:  Shrimp, crabs, other small crustaceans

These small fish are known for hiding most of the day under rocks and edges and coming out at night to feed on small crustaceans.  They are easiest to catch at night and provide a good little fight.  They make a fair food fish and are said to taste delicious here in Cebu when cooked as Inun-unan.  These little guys are armed with venomous spines so care must be taken when removing them from your hooks.  I came across the fish in the picture above while night fishing from a seawall here in Cebu.  We were using small shrimp for bait.